Part 16 (1/2)

Of the delegates who were present on the last day of the convention, all but three signed the Const.i.tution.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Signing the Const.i.tution]

It is said that when the last man had signed, many of the delegates seemed awe-struck at what they had done. Was.h.i.+ngton himself sat with head bowed in deep thought.

Thirty-three years before this, and before some of the delegates then present were born, Franklin had done his best to bring the colonies into a federal union. He was sixty years of age when, in this very room, he put his name to the Declaration of Independence. Now, as the genial old man saw the n.o.ble aim of his life accomplished, he indulged in one of his homely bits of pleasantry.

There was a rude painting of a half sun, gorgeous with its yellow rays, on the back of the president's black armchair. When Was.h.i.+ngton solemnly rose, as the meeting was breaking up, Franklin pointed to the chair and said, ”As I have been sitting here all these weeks, I have often wondered whether that sun behind our president is rising or setting. Now I do know that it is a rising sun.”

{153} [Ill.u.s.tration: Benjamin Franklin]

The Const.i.tution was sent to the Continental Congress, who submitted it to the people of the several states for their approval. It was agreed that when it was adopted by nine states, it should become the supreme law of the land.

Now for the first time there was a real national issue. The people arranged themselves into two great political parties, the Federalists, who believed in a strong government and the new Const.i.tution, and the Anti-Federalists, who were opposed to a stronger union between the states.

And now what keen discussions, bitter quarrels, and scurrilous and abusive newspaper articles! A bloodless war of squibs, broadsides, pamphlets, and frenzied oratory was waged everywhere.

Hamilton and Madison were ”mere boys” and ”visionary young men”; Franklin was an ”old dotard” and ”in his second childhood”; and as for Was.h.i.+ngton, ”What did he know about politics?”

{154} The Const.i.tution was called ”a triple-headed monster.” Many able men sincerely believed it to be ”as deep and wicked a conspiracy as ever was invented in the darkest ages against the liberties of the people.”

How eloquently did such men as Hamilton, Madison, Randolph, Jay, ”Light-Horse Harry” Lee, John Marshall, Fisher Ames, and a score of other ”makers of our country” defend the ”New Roof,” as the people were then fond of calling the Federal Const.i.tution!

A series of short essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, and published under the name of ”The Federalist,” were widely read.

Although written at a white heat, their grave and lofty eloquence and their stern patriotism carried conviction to the hearts of the people.

”The Delaware State,” as it was called, was the first to adopt the Const.i.tution. It was not until the next June that Ma.s.sachusetts and Virginia ratified it, as the sixth and tenth states. New York next fell into line in July.

The victory was won! The ”New Roof” was up and finished, supported by eleven stout pillars!

On the glorious ”Fourth” in 1788, there was great rejoicing throughout the land. Bonfires, stump speeches, fireworks, processions, music, gorgeous banners, and barbecues of oxen expressed the joy of the people over the establishment of a federal government.

”Hurrah for the United States of America!” shouted every patriot.

{155} ”The good s.h.i.+p Const.i.tution” was at last fairly launched.

The wheels of the new government began to turn slowly and with much friction. It was not until the first week of April, 1789, that the House of Representatives and the Senate met and counted the electoral votes for a President of the newly born nation. There were sixty-nine votes in all, and of these every one was for George Was.h.i.+ngton. John Adams was the second choice of the electoral college. He received thirty-four votes, and was accordingly declared Vice President.

Thus was formed and adopted our just and wise Const.i.tution, which, except for a few amendments, has ever since been the supreme law of the land. This doc.u.ment has been called by Gladstone ”the greatest work ever struck off at any time by the mind and purpose of man.” To it we owe our prosperity and our high place among nations.

{156}

CHAPTER XI

A DARING EXPLOIT

About a century ago, pirates on the northern coast of Africa were causing a great deal of trouble. They used to dash out in their vessels, and capture and plunder the merchant s.h.i.+ps of all nations.

The poor sailors were sold as slaves, and then kicked and cuffed about by cruel masters.